What is the low and high range for leasehold improvements for a Bambu franchise?
Bambu Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT
A. Franchise Agreement
| Column 1 | Column 2 | | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Type of Expenditure* | Amount (Low) | Amount (High) | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made | | Initial Franchise Fee (See Note 1) | $49,000 | $49,000 | Payable in four installments | Four installments due as described in Item 5 | Us | | Leasehold Improvements | $35,000 | $145,000 | As incurred | Before Opening | Other Suppliers | | (See Note 2) | | | | | | | Final Architectural | $4,000 | $10,000 | As incurred | Before Opening | Other Suppliers | | Drawings, Permits, and | | | | | | | Approvals | | | | | | | (See Note 3) | | | | | | | IT and POS Systems | $2,500 | $2,500 | As incurred | Before Opening | Other Suppliers | | (See Note 4) | | | | | | | Equipment, Fixtures and | $28,000 | $70,000 | As incurred | Before Opening | Other Suppliers | | Furniture | | | | | | | (See Note 5) | | | | | | | Signage and Menu Board | $5,000 | $8,000 | As incurred | Before Opening | Other Suppliers | | (See Note 6) | | | | | | | Opening Inventory and Supplies (See Note 7) | $7,000 | $9,500 | Lump Sum when ordered | Before Opening | Other Suppliers | | Security Deposits, Utility | $6,500 | $12,000 | As incurred | Before Opening | Other Suppliers | | Deposits, Business Licenses, | | | | | | | Insurance and Professional | | | | | | | Fees | | | | | | | (See Note 8) | | | | | | | Opening Training Expenses | $2,000 | $2,000 | As incurred | Before Opening | Other Suppliers | | (See Note 9) | | | | | | | Initial Marketing Campaign | $5,000 | $5,000 | As incurred | Around Opening | Other Suppliers | | (See Note 10) | | | | | | | Additional Funds - | $15,000 | $15,000 | As incurred | As incurred | Other Suppliers | | 3 Months | | | | | | | (See Note 11) | | | | | | | TOTAL ESTIMATED | $159,000 | $328,000 | | | | | INITIAL INVESTMENT | | | | | | | (See Note 12) | | | | | |
* None of the fees or costs estimated in the chart above are refundable, except that deposits paid to third parties may be refundable.
Explanatory Notes
Note 1: Initial Franchise Fee. See Item 5.
Note 2: Leasehold Improvements. Your cost to build-out a location for a Bambū shoppe will vary greatly. The square footage of the location, the as-is condition, tenant improvement allowances from the landlord, and the type and availability of utilities and services are typically the largest monetary items affecting your shoppe buildout. A second-generation restaurant or QSR location with an existing kitchen and plumbing will significantly reduce these costs depending on final layout.
Source: Item 7 — (FDD pages 18–22)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bambu's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated cost for leasehold improvements ranges from $35,000 to $145,000. These costs are typically incurred before the store opens and are paid to other suppliers.
The FDD notes that the cost to build out a Bambu location can vary significantly based on factors such as the location's square footage, its existing condition, any tenant improvement allowances provided by the landlord, and the availability of utilities. A second-generation restaurant or QSR location with an existing kitchen and plumbing can substantially reduce these costs. Bambu stores are divided into a kitchen area (400-500 sq. ft.) and a front-of-house area (500-600 sq. ft.).
The lower end of the estimate assumes a "move-in-ready" space or a built-to-suit lease space. However, the document emphasizes that each location is unique and requires careful review and negotiation with the landlord. Finding the best location and understanding the available spaces are crucial factors in determining the final build-out costs. In spaces referred to as "Vanilla Shell" or "Gray Shell," where only the basic structure and utilities are provided, build-out costs are generally higher, but landlords may offer tenant improvement allowances or rent abatements to offset these expenses.